Methods and systems for compensating for alien crosstalk between connectors

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and systems for minimizing alien crosstalk between connectors. Specifically, the methods and systems relate to isolation and compensation techniques for minimizing alien crosstalk between connectors for use with high-speed data cabling. A frame can be configured to receive a number of connectors. Shield structures may be positioned to isolate at least a subset of the connectors from one another. The connectors can be positioned to move at least a subset of the connectors away from alignment with a common plane. A signal compensator may be configured to adjust a data signal to compensate for alien crosstalk. The connectors are configured to efficiently and accurately propagate high-speed data signals by, among other functions, minimizing alien crosstalk.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of compensating for crosstalk, the method comprising:
 applying a signal compensator between a first jack that is configured to receive a first plug and a separate second jack that is configured to receive a second plug to compensate for alien crosstalk generated between the first and second jacks, wherein the signal compensator is applied via an inductive or a capacitive coupling between electrical conductors of the first and second jacks. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal compensator is applied via a capacitive coupling between electric conductors of the first and second jacks. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the capacitive coupling is provided by capacitors provided on a circuit board to which the first and second jacks are mounted. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal compensator is applied via an inductive coupling between electric conductors of the first and second jacks. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the inductive coupling is provided by inductors provided on a circuit board to which the first and second jacks are mounted. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal compensator is applied via both an inductive and a capacitive coupling between electric conductors of the first and second jacks. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying a second signal compensator between electric conductors within at least one of the first jack and the second jack to compensate for intraconnector crosstalk generated between the electric conductors within at least one of the first jack and the second jack. 
     
     
       8. A telecommunications component comprising:
 a first jack having conductors, the first jack configured to receive a first plug; 
 a second jack having conductors, the second jack configured to receive a second plug; 
 a signal compensator between the conductors of the first and second jacks, the signal compensator having a magnitude and location selected to compensate for alien crosstalk between the first and second jacks, the signal compensator being generated by a capacitive or an inductive coupling between the conductors of the first and second jacks. 
 
     
     
       9. The telecommunications component of  claim 8 , wherein the signal compensator is generated by a capacitive coupling between the conductors of the first and second jacks. 
     
     
       10. The telecommunications component of  claim 9 , wherein the capacitive coupling is provided by capacitors provided on a circuit board to which the first and second jacks are mounted. 
     
     
       11. The telecommunications component of  claim 8 , wherein the signal compensator is generated by an inductive coupling between the conductors of the first and second jacks. 
     
     
       12. The telecommunications component of  claim 11 , wherein the inductive coupling is provided by inductors provided on a circuit board to which the first and second jacks are mounted. 
     
     
       13. The telecommunications component of  claim 8 , wherein the signal compensator is generated by both an inductive and a capacitive coupling between the conductors of the first and second jacks. 
     
     
       14. The telecommunications component of  claim 8 , further comprising a second signal compensator between the conductors within at least one of the first jack and the second jack to compensate for intraconnector crosstalk generated between the conductors within at least one of the first jack and the second jack.